Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a procedure that has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility. As a result Penn Fertility Care can offer men with a failed vasectomy reversal, low sperm count or with a congenital (from birth) absence of the vas deferens now have a high chance of fatherhood without using donor sperm. Because sperm are injected directly into the egg, sperm that cannot swim or bind to an egg are still able to fertilize an egg because these problems are bypassed. This procedure has decreased the need for donor sperm and almost eliminated the concept of untreatable male infertility.

About the Procedure

Sperm is collected from either masturbation, electro-ejaculation or other surgical techniques. A female's egg cells are harvested and transferred to a special media in a laboratory dish. The procedure is done under a microscope using multiple micromanipulation devices (i.e. micropipettes). The pipette stabilizes the egg and, from the opposite side, a micropipette collects the sperm. The micropipette pierces through the egg and releases the sperm into the egg. After the procedure, the egg is placed into cell culture and checked on the following day for signs of fertilization.